The San Francisco Giants have a Hunter Strickland Problem

The fight between Hunter Strickland and Bryce Harper should sound a lot of alarms for the San Francisco Giants and their future with Strickland.

First of all, I dislike Bryce Harper just as much as any other baseball fan. Unless he plays for your team, he just isn’t a likeable player. You can’t ignore how great of a player he is, but that doesn’t mean you have to like him.

However, I think Hunter Strickland deserves all of the blame for the embarrassing situation on Monday.

The pitch was intentional, and if you don’t believe that, then you might as well quit reading this article.

Strickland was still mad because of something that happened in 2014!

And I hate to keep agreeing with Harper, but he was right on point with what he said after the game on Monday. Strickland and the San Francisco Giants went on to eliminate the Washington Nationals and win a World Series ring.

So why is Strickland still holding a grudge from the first round of the 2014 playoffs?

If you want to get even, strike him out. Or flash your World Series ring at him. But don’t plunk him just to get him back for something that happened over two years ago.

But here is why I think this is such a problem for the San Francisco Giants — Strickland is becoming a team problem.

A lot of people made a big deal about Buster Posey not doing anything to take up for Strickland. That to me signifies that the team is fed up with Strickland.

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He took it upon himself to get revenge on Harper, and in doing so put his teammates in the cross hairs.

Strickland isn’t going to be getting in the batter’s box any time soon. It will be one of his teammates that has to take one in the ribs.

And then when Strickland’s teammates are trying to get him off the field he’s basically fighting them like a mad animal. He pretty much shoved Hunter Pence, who had no business being out there coming back from an injury, in the face.

In my opinion Strickland is a cancer for this team. But what makes this problem even more difficult, is that he’s really good.

In 17.2 innings pitched this year he’s struck out 18 batters and given up just 3 earned runs. He’s been one of the San Francisco Giants best relief pitchers the past three years.

Next: San Francisco Giants: Bryce Harper, Hunter Strickland Trade Punches

You can’t just get rid of a talented arm like that, but I think it’s time for the San Francisco Giants to consider parting ways with Hunter Strickland for the good of the team.